Spain are through to their first ever Women’s World Cup semi-final after teenager Salma Paralluelo scored an extra-time winner to defeat the Netherlands in Wellington.
Paralluelo struck a powerful finish in the 111st minute to become Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer at the Women’s World Cup, just moments after Lineth Beerensteyn missed the second of two clear opportunities to put the Netherlands ahead.
The 2019 runners-up forced extra time when Stefanie van der Gragt’s late strike cancelled out Mariona Caldentey’s second-half penalty, but there will be no repeat of their final appearance from four years ago.
The Netherlands barely threatened until Spain took the lead from the penalty spot in the 81st minute but then had several chances to take the lead through Beerensteyn. Paralluelo then punished those missed chances with a crisp strike off the post to send Spain through to a historic semi-final.
Later, Japan face the biggest test of their campaign yet as they take on Sweden. Japan have been the standout team of the tournament so far, but Sweden offer a true test of their ambitions after the Olympic silver medalists knocked out the United States in the last-16.
Follow live updates from Spain vs Netherlands as the World Cup quarter-finals get underway
